The role of parents

THE EDITOR, Sir:

AS the time for the re-opening of schools approaches once more, I become increasingly concerned about our children. My experience so far in the teaching fraternity has been very revealing. This has consequently roused much concern and worry.

Despite the continuous emergence of technology and new teaching strategies, many of our Jamaican children still have skills and talents which are underdeveloped or undiscovered. I have to conclude that this unfortunate existence results from improper and inadequate parenting.

Teachers' tireless efforts will not achieve maximum results if many more parents do not recognise and activate their parenting roles. A teacher's role relative to moulding children, is limited. For our children to achieve and develop optimally, parents and teachers MUST work in harmonious partnership.

At the end of the school year 2000-2001, I analytically noticed that many children who performed very well academically and socially, were those whose parents visited the school regularly, enquired about their general performance, assisted consistently with home work and attended Parent-Teacher Association meetings, among other things. Many of the achievers about whom I speak, are from poor families.

Parents need to realise that it is not enough for their children to:

a) be properly attired

b) have adequate lunch or lunch money

c) be transported to school comfortably and

d) have the required books and materials, among other things.

I am, etc.,

DELTON PEDLEY

33 Nautilus Avenue

Kingston 17

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